Dusty looking for a leadoff hitter.

[Pogotheostrich]

Reds manager Dusty Baker said he's talked to both Kenny Lofton and Corey Patterson recently.

Baker seems to want his team to add a true leadoff man. "I think it's the most underrated position in baseball," he said. "Look at the good teams -- they all have a good leadoff man." Of course, Patterson doesn't qualify at all. Ryan Freel might, but he'll be a part-timer if the Reds carry Jay Bruce.

Not good news for Bruce owners.

[crazyforbaseball]

Being a Cub fan, yes Dusty prefers vets over kids....also beware Votto owners.

[stevethumb]

as i have been saying for a month, the reds have a dysfunctional lineup and this is one of the reasons that i see jbruce starting the season at AAA..unless they add klofton, the reds will start the season w/either freel or hopper in CF and hitting leadoff

[CadensDad]

I could not see Patterson or Lofton leading off, Griffey Jr is a better option

[soty]

If Boston goes with Ellsbury in CF then Crisp will be available.

[CadensDad]

If Boston goes with Ellsbury in CF then Crisp will be available.

He might fit in nicely

[ninremix]

trade for brian roberts and send the orioles some young talent to build on.

[Nihil]

trade for brian roberts and send the orioles some young talent to build on.

I think the Reds will do fine with Brandon Phillips at 2B. Can Roberts play CF?

Anyway, since I live in the Cincinnati area, I am definitely concerned with Baker's penchant for going with a veteran over a better qualified young guy. Hopefully, Bruce shows enough in spring training to shut the door on this issue.

[AKhomebrewer]

From the "Hell freezes over" files:

Fri, Feb 22 (Yahoo! Player notes)
John Fay, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Reds 1B Joey Votto may have the inside edge in beating 1B Scott Hatteberg for the starting first base position in spring training. "What's Hatteberg? Thirty-eight?" Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Votto's the future here. I talked to Hatteberg about Votto. He thinks he's going to be a heck of a player. He's not conceding his position. I think he understands to be part of the club that Votto might have to be a major part of it. It might be Votto's time."

Not to hijack the thread from the leadoff issue. Just thought this was a worthwhile comment in view of Dusty's penchant for the Geritol gang.

[CadensDad]

From the "Hell freezes over" files:

Fri, Feb 22 (Yahoo! Player notes)
John Fay, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Reds 1B Joey Votto may have the inside edge in beating 1B Scott Hatteberg for the starting first base position in spring training. "What's Hatteberg? Thirty-eight?" Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Votto's the future here. I talked to Hatteberg about Votto. He thinks he's going to be a heck of a player. He's not conceding his position. I think he understands to be part of the club that Votto might have to be a major part of it. It might be Votto's time."

Not to hijack the thread from the leadoff issue. Just thought this was a worthwhile comment in view of Dusty's penchant for the Geritol gang.

Well Bruce should be the starting CF, maybe sign Lofton/Patterson as a back-up but the job should be Bruces